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Oregon US Atty Calls Kate Brown Sanctuary Policy Illegal, Unsafe

Wilsonville, OR – With Democrat Governor Kate Brown indicating that she will not veto a new bill passed by her allies in the state legislature to strengthen Oregon’s reckless “sanctuary” state status, Oregon U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams recently published an op-ed in The Oregonian warning that Oregon’s “sanctuary” status “directly contravenes federal immigration law and threatens public safety:"

"A narrow reading of what Oregon state law permits - especially as it pertains to information sharing - has proliferated among jurisdictions throughout the state amidst the heightened political climate surrounding immigration issues.

Some sheriffs suggest that, short of ICE agents obtaining a federal criminal arrest warrant, they do not have any legal obligation to share information or hold an individual in custody who is subject to a detainer. This requirement is inherently unreasonable as illegal aliens are frequently held for only a matter of hours. Furthermore, it is nearly impossible to obtain a federal criminal arrest warrant without basic identifying information.

Simply put, Oregon's sanctuary status declaration directly contravenes federal immigration law and threatens public safety. This has put many sheriffs in the position of choosing whether to violate state or federal law. It's an untenable position. The Department of Justice takes this issue very seriously and has begun to take steps to correct it.”

"Democratic Obama Appointee Williams has dispelled the fiction that Oregon's ‘Sanctuary State” policies rely on and made it utterly clear that local and state officials are breaking federal law,” stated Oregon GOP Chairman Bill Currier. “It can no longer be denied that Kate Brown’s reckless sanctuary policies continue to put Oregon citizens at risk to criminal illegal aliens.

Governor Brown publicly testified in favor of House Bill 3464 in June. But even after the disturbing news last month of a vicious assault in Oregon by a criminal illegal alien who had been shielded from federal authorities by the state’s “sanctuary” status, Brown does not appear to have had a change of heart.

“Kate Brown needs to stop playing politics with Oregonians’ safety and start protecting the people of her state by complying with federal immigration law,” said Currier. “Kate Brown’s negligent disregard for the safety and security of our state’s citizens is yet another reason why Oregonians are ready for a change in 2018.”

The Oregon Republican Party is the state’s arm of the Republican National Committee. It’s Chairman and officers are dedicated to preserving and advancing Republican principles within the state of Oregon and to improving the lives and livelihoods of Oregon’s working families through economic freedom and equal protection under the law.